Adrenal glandular
Also called: Adrenal cortex extract, desiccated adrenal, adrenal concentrate
Dried adrenal gland tissue, usually from cows or pigs, sold for fatigue and stress. Evidence is very limited, and testing has found that some products contain real steroid and thyroid hormones.
Supplements can interact with medications and aren't right for everyone, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with a chronic condition. Ask your provider before you start.
Studied for
- Marketed for fatigue and low energy
- Marketed for stress and 'adrenal fatigue', which most medical groups don't recognize as a diagnosis
- Some naturopathic adrenal protocols (with a practitioner)
Found naturally in
- Your adrenal glands make their own hormones
- Comes from animal adrenal glands. There is no common food source.
Label red flags
- No mention of the animal source, country of origin, or testing for hormone content
- Blends that combine adrenal and thyroid tissue
- Claims that it replaces cortisol or steroid medicine
Check with a provider
- Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency. Never use it in place of, or to cut back, prescribed steroid replacement.
- Taking prednisone, hydrocortisone, or other steroid medicines
- Thyroid conditions or thyroid medicine (some products contain hidden thyroid hormone)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Signs of excess, such as a racing heart, anxiety, trouble sleeping, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar. Don't stop suddenly after long use without guidance.
Usually found in adrenal support formulas, energy and stress formulas, multi-glandular blends. Browse Dr. Lesher's dispensary
Parts of the body it affects
Explore what each area does and the conditions that can affect it.
Illustrations: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.